Joseph F. Culver Civil War Letters

Carlisle May 30 1864
Dear Sister Mary

Mother received your letter today and desires to answer it immediately so she came up to get me to write for her. You speak of writing to me. I received your letter with the shirt and am more obliged than I can tell you and am ashamed that I have delayed so long in replying it was not intentional I talked of writing every day. I am getting ready to go down to Harrys fathers as soon after commencement as possible which will be in 4 weeks and I have much to do also a brothers widow from Philad. is visiting us and expects to stay until we go down which also makes me have less time for letter writing. We are greatly relieved to hear from Frank we were so anxious and hope he may be safely kept through all the dangers which beset his path I know how anxiously you feel. Continue reading →

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Hd. Qurs., Co. “A” 129th Ills.
Behind the fortifications in front of Dallas, May 27th 1864
My Dear Wife

Yours of the 17th has just come to hand. ((Mary Culver’s letter of May 19 is missing from the Culver Collection.)) I am very happy to hear that you were well. We moved up to this place on the evening of the 25th about 5 p.m. The enemy were concealed in the woods and opened a terrific fire upon the head of the column. The 1st Div. of our Corps was in advance & commenced skirmishing immediately. The 1st Div. drove the enemy back about 11/2 miles into their fortifications, & our Div. formed line of battle & moved up to their support. ((General Hooker’s XXX Corps advanced from Burnt Hickory in three columns on the 25th. The day was hot and humid and there were hundreds of stragglers. General Johnston, having learned from his cavalry that Sherman’s “army group” was across the Etowah and threatening to outflank his Allatoona line, started his army for Dallas. On the 25th Hood’s corps took position at New Hope Church, with Hindman’s division on the left, Stewart’s in the center, and Stevenson’s on the right. When the First Division of Hooker’s corps drove in Hood’s skirmishers, Butterfield’s Third Division diverged toward the right. The earthworks assailed by the Federals were defended by Maj. Gen. A. P. Stewart’s division. O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXVIII, pt. II, pp. 30, 123, 324; Ibid., pt. HI, p. 761.)) Coming up through the woods, the shell and shot fell thick around us. Walter Good, orderly of Co. “C”, had his right hand shot off. ((Walter Good, a 28-year-old farmer, was mustered into service on Sept. 8, 1862, as a private in Company C, 129th Illinois Infantry, and was promoted 1st sergeant on Dec. 6, 1862. 1st Sergeant Good was wounded in the right hand at New Hope Church on May 25, 1864, and hospitalized at Chicago’s Marine Hospital. His hand was amputated, and he was given a medical discharge on Nov. 10, 1864. Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers, NA.)) George Conner of my Company lost the index finger of his left hand. ((George W. Conner, a 21-year-old farmer, was mustered into service on Sept. 8, 1862, as a private in Company A, 129th Illinois Infantry. Private Conner was wounded, one of the fingers on his left hand being shot off, at New Hope Church on May 25, 1864. He returned to duty and was mustered out near Washington on June 8, 1865. Ibid.)) Only a few others in our Regt. were wounded & those but slightly. ((Casualties in the 129th for the day were 5 wounded. O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXVIII, pt. II, p. 366.)) Continue reading →

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Hd. Qurs. Co. “A” 129th Ills.
In the Hills near Allatoona
May 24th 1864
My Dear Wife

After a severe day’s marching, we have turned the flank of the enemy again & are fortifying ourselves among the hills south west of Allatoona. The Rebs seem to understand retreating to perfection, & it is probable we will not get an opportunity to do more than shell them a few minutes. ((The 129th Illinois remained near Cassville until 4 A.M. on May 23. When it moved out, Butterfield’s division marched to the southwest, crossing the Etowah at Milum’s Bridge shortly before sundown. To guard against sunstrokes, Colonel Case had his men “put fresh leaves in our hats.” Nightfall on the 24th found the 129th Illinois camped in the hills near Burnt Hickory. One of the soldiers, echoing Lieutenant Culver, reported, “Many of our men suffered so much from the sun and heat that they could not assist” in erecting breastworks, and “threw themselves on the cold ground to sleep and rest, not caring for any supper.” Grunert, History of the 129th Illinois, pp. 65-66; O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXVIII, pt. II, p. 382. General Johnston, after abandoning his position in front of Cassville on the 19th, had posted his army astride the Western & Atlantic Railroad at Allatoona. General Sherman wisely determined to flank Johnston’s position. After establishing his base at Kingston, his “army group” crossed the Etowah on a broad front and, abandoning the railroad, struck toward the southeast, flanking Johnston’s fortified Allatoona line, with Marietta as their goal. Horn, Army of Tennessee, p. 320.)) The present Campaign thus far has been a perfect success. Continue reading →

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Hd. Qurs. Co. “A” 129th Ills.
[Near Cassville, Ga., May 20th 1864]
My Dear Wife

I wrote a line this morning & have just learned that another mail goes out shortly. Yours of the 10th & 11th I recd. to-day. ((Mary Culver’s letter of May 10 & 11 is missing fron the Culver Collection.)) I am very happy to hear that your health is so good. God be praised for all his mercies. Continue reading →

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Hd. Qurs., Co. “A” 129th Ills.
In the Field Near Tunnel Hill ((The XX Corps broke camp shortly after daybreak on the 7th and, marching by way of Gordon’s Gap, crossed Taylor’s Ridge, and took position in front of Buzzard Roost. The First Division was posted at Trickum’s Post Office; Butterfield’s Third Division on the Dalton and Gordon’s Springs road; and the Second Division on the Ringgold and Villanow roads about three miles from Trickum’s, with its picket line connecting with the right of Butterfield’s division. O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXVIII, pt.IV, pp. 45, 61. Private Grunert recalled the day’s march as an unpleasant one, “over narrow, dusty or rocky roads.” The weather was terribly hot. When the regiment took a break during the afternoon in a field, the troops quenched their thirst “in a milky, dirty creek, in which higher up some were bathing, others washing their feet.” The sun was setting when the 129th, after a 20-mile march, went into camp near Mrs. Swain’s. Grunert, History of the 129th Illinois, p. 55.))
May 9th 1864
My Dear Wife

Yours of May [sic] 30th has just come to hand. ((Mary Culver’s letter of April 30 is missing from the Culver Collection.)) I am very happy to learn that your health is good. That dream of yours was doubtless very agreeable yet very far from the reality. I am glad to learn that Sis & Bro. Johnson are better. I hope you may have many opportunities to ride out during the summer months. Continue reading →

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Nickajack Trace, Georgia ((The division remained in camp at Pleasant Grove Church on the 5th, and late in the day soldiers of the 129th drew three days’ rations. On May 6, the division broke camp at an early hour and turning south halted on the Nickajack Trace, east of Leet’s Tanyard. O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXVIII, pt. IV, p. 44. General Johnston on the 5th had ordered his infantry and artillery out of their camps and into defensive positions along the rugged ridges and in the gaps. Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee’s corps was on the left with his men holding Rocky Face; Lt. Gen. John B. Hood’s corps guarded the right, where the line bent down to the east of Dalton; and Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler’s cavalry covered the flanks, guarded the gaps through Taylor’s Ridge, and observed the advance of the Union columns as they felt their way forward. Gilbert E. Govan & James W. Livingood, A Different Valor: The Story of General Joseph E. Johnston, C.S.A. (Indianapolis, 1956), p. 262.))
May 6th 1864
My Dear Wife

We have had no mail for several days, so that I have not heard from you, but earnestly hope you are in good health. Phil [Plattenburg] joined us to-day, and I have returned to my Company. ((Adjutant Plattenburg had been sent to Louisville with money contributed by the officers and men of the 129th to purchase a gift horse and saddle and bridle for Colonel Case.)) We are on Picket to-night but will commence the march before morning.

Hoping that this may find its way to you, I am happy to say that my health is excellent. Keep a brave heart. All will be well. Continue reading →

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Head Qurs., 129th Regt. Ills. Vol. Infty.
Pleasant Grove near Ringold, Tenn. [sic], May 4th 1864
My Dear Wife

Yours of the 25th March [sic] I recd. at Gordon’s Mill. ((The subject letter is missing from the Culver Collection.)) We left that place at 9 o clock A.M. and arrived here at 4 P.M., 15 miles. ((The division had struck its tents and moved out at an early hour. Butterfield’s orders were to take position near Pleasant Grove Church, with his left in contact with Brig. Gen. Jefferson C. Davis’ division. O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXVIII, pt. IV, p. 29.)) We are now at the foot of Taylor’s Ridge, 2 1/2 miles from Ringold, about 10 miles from Tunnel Hill, and from 15 to 20 miles from Dalton. One column is moving by Ringold, Tunnel Hill, and Buzzard Roost; another from Cleveland, and ours, making in all three columns. ((Maj. Gen. John Palmer’s XIV Corps, Army of the Cumberland, had marched from Graysville on the road paralleling the Western & Atlantic Railroad, and by the 4th had occupied Ringgold, Ga. General Howard’s IV Corps, advancing on Palmer’s left, had left Cleveland, Tenn., on the 3d, and reached Catoosa Springs on May 4. Hooker’s XX Corps constituted the Army of the Cumberland’s right. General Schofield’s Army of the Ohio had followed Howard’s corps south from Cleveland and was camped in and around Red Clay. General McPherson’s Army of the Tennessee was being concentrated at Chattanooga, preparatory to following the route pioneered by Hooker’s columns. Ibid., pp. 25-33.)) We are close on the enemy’s lines. The weather is warm but pleasant during the day and quite cool at night. Continue reading →

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Hd. Qurs., 129th Ills. Vols.
Gordon’s Mill, May 3d 1864 ((Reveille was beaten at 4 A.M. on the 2d. After roll call a “hasty breakfast” was eaten, and “the haversacks filled with bread, meat, etc. for three days.” Preparatory to taking up the march at 6:30 o’clock, the shelter tents used as roofs on the huts were taken down, rolled up, and buckled to the knapsacks. At the designated hour the regiment fell in to the beat of the drums and marched to the parade ground, where the brigade rendezvoused. General Butterfield gave the command to move out, and the 1st and 3rd Brigades, along with the division artillery, ordnance and supply trains, took up the march. Passing to the southwest of Chattanooga, the column marched through Rossville Gap and across the Chickamauga battlefield, going into camp at Gordon’s Mills. Grunert, History of the 129th Illinois, pp. 53-54; O.R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXVIII, pt. IV, pp. 11-12.))
My Dear Wife

The mail will leave here for Chattanooga this evening. Rumor says that no mail goes North of Nashville now, but I will write anyhow.

Yours of April 28th came to hand last night. ((Mary Culver’s letter of April 28 is missing from the Culver Collection.)) You do not say that you are well, but I feel assured that you are else you would have told me. I grant that 20 days’ Leave of Absence would have been very acceptable, but I am not so fortunate. I think at the close of this Campaign, if my life is spared, I shall surely get home. It is possible that “August” with its trials may be over and I hope abundantly blessed. ((Mary Culver was five months pregnant and the couple’s second child would be born in August.)) Continue reading →

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Head Qurs., 129th Regt., Ills. Vols.
Wauhatchie, Tenn. May 1st 1864
My Dear Wife

I feared when I wrote this morning that I might not be able to write much to-day. ((The subject letter is missing from the Culver Collection.)) We are almost ready to move, and will commence the march at 6 1/2 A.M. to-morrow. ((During the morning the brigade received its long expected marching orders. Rations for three days were issued, and the officers alerted to have their men ready to take the field early on the 2d. All equipment not prescribed, including the officers’ writing desks, was stored. A final dress parade was held during the afternoon, and the troops retired early, sleeping for “the last time at the foot of grand lookout, whose peak towers high toward heaven.” Grunert, History of the 129th Illinois, p. 53.)) I am not allowed to tell our destination but you will hear from me before very long if the mails are not stopped. Do not allow yourself to be troubled. Trust in God. All will be well in any event. Continue reading →